POP/IMAP Email Settings

You may choose to access your UB e-mail by setting up an email application (Thunderbird, Windows Mail, etc.) with a POP or IMAP connection. Please note that OTS' only supported method of remote email access is through the MyUB Portal.

What is POP?POP is short for Post Office Protocol. POP is one method used by e-mail programs to retrieve e-mail from the server. The key feature of POP is that when you retrieve your mail, the messages are moved from the server to the computer you use to check mail.

What is IMAP?IMAP is short for Internet Message Access Protocol. It is another method used by e-mail programs to retrieve mail. IMAP keeps your messages on the server. When you click to read a message, IMAP presents the message that is stored on the server. All messages are stored on the server until you delete and purge a message.

Which method am I using?Check your e-mail program's account configuration. The incoming server will be listed either as POP or IMAP.

If you check e-mail using Microsoft Outlook on campus or through Outlook Web Access (OWA), you are using a Microsoft Exchange connection which is a different protocol. Exchange is available only on campus or through OWA.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of POP and IMAP?

Protocol

Advantage

Disadvantage

POP

Message storage limited only by the capacity of your computer.

Messages are stored on your computer. If your computer fails you may lose all your e-mail.

Mail is downloaded to computer you're using when you check e-mail. If you read your e-mail from multiple computers using POP, messages are not available from a central location.

IMAP

Messages are stored on the server and not affected if your computer fails.

Easily use multiple computers or e-mail programs to read mail.

Message storage is limited to your e-mail quota.

Large amounts of mail in one mail folder can cause slow performance.

Which should I use, POP or IMAP?The decision is yours. However, here are guidelines to help you make that decision:

Use POP only if:

you check e-mail from one computer, using one e-mail program

you have a slow connection (IMAP works better with faster connections because it communicates more frequently and intensely with the server)

you are comfortable with your e-mail being removed from the server when you check your mail OR plan on deleting e-mail from the server on a regular basis

Use IMAP if:

you use more than one computer to read e-mail

you need to use more than one e-mail program to read your mail

you need access to other mail folders including Sent Items from other locations

Do you use Outlook Web Access occasionally, in addition to an e-mail program? Use IMAP for the e-mail program.

Use POP or IMAP; do not mix the two. Doing so will cause problems and confusion.

Some e-mail programs have a "leave mail on server" option for POP that simulates IMAP mode. If you use this feature consider using IMAP.

If you are still unsure about which to use, or need information on how to switch from POP to IMAP (or IMAP to POP), please contact the Call Center.